Cycling In Piedmont – For Wine & Food Lovers

Itinerary:

Day 1 –

Alessandria – Arrival in Alessandria, a city divided by the river Tanaro. Worth a visit is Piazza della Libertà and Piazza Duomo with its wonderful neoclassical cathedral.

Day 2 –

Alessandria–Acqui Terme (50 km, elevation up 530 m) – You cycle for a few Kilometers along the Strada Franca, an ancient road dating back to 1454. You will pass across smooth hills, woods and small isolated villages where you will be able to taste local products and excellent local wines (Barbera and Dolcetto d’Acqui among others). Acqui Terme: famous for its spring waters, like the “Bollente” situated in the historical centre.

Day 3 –

Acqui Terme–Alba (55 km, elevation up 1,000 m) – You come across the famous hills of the Langhe, the countryside and the vineyards as well as the splendid small villages of Montabone, Rocchetta Palafea and Canelli. The stage ends in Alba, home of the most precious of the truffles, the Tartufo Bianco, and of the famous “Dolcetto d’Alba”.

Day 4 –

Alba–Asti (35 km, elevation up 250 m) – A route through vineyards and along panoramic paths which will eventually take you to Asti in the heart of Monferrato. Do visit the historical centre with its famous towers, the Romanic monuments and the splendid Gothic cathedral.

Day 5 –

Excursion to Torino or Asti, round tour (35 km, elevation up 300 m) – Today you have a choice between cycling across the Asti hills and their nature parks and a trip by train to Torino, which can be reached in about one hour. Torino, the first capital of Italy, is a city with splendid monuments, tree-lined roads and ancient cafés, which offer a choice of chocolate-based specialties.

Day 6 –

Asti–Casale Monferrato (55 km, elevation up 700 m) – Take advantage of the hospitality of the wine cellars and restaurants along the way, which offer an excellent eno-gastronomical choice. In Monferrato you will eventually meet the river Po, the longest river in Italy.

Day 7 –

Casale Monferrato–Alessandria (45 km, elevation up 150 m) – Further cycling across green hills and cultivated lands. Passing through the small villages on the right side of the Po river you will return to Alessandria where the tour ends.

Day 8 –

Alessandria – Departure after breakfast. Possibility to book extra nights

Route:

Total Length: 240/275 km

Total vertical up: 2,630/2,930 m

Terrain: 91% asphalt, 9% unpaved

Train connection among the overnight stays: day 2, 6 and 7.

Possibility to shorten the itinerary by taking the train: day 2 and 7.

Tour of an average difficulty mainly running on paved roads with low traffic.
The highest elevation gap is on the stages Acqui Terme–Alba and Asti–Casale Monferrato. A bit more traffic is to be faced when approaching the towns of Alessandria and Asti.